a few things have shifted
in the last few years:
i don’t wear make up much anymore,
like my cakes,
my face is naked,
and it’s all the better for it.
i’ve also leaned twds repeat recipes,
meals that stand the test of time,
but mainly,
dishes that i know are pleasing
and full-filling.
hot pot makes an appearance
when the weather turns
for the cold,
and then to the ebbing winter,
bookends in autumn and spring,
it is best shared with friends,
though it’s just as lovely for two.
there are plenty of versions,
though i am partial to the viet style
(surprise surprise).
differences are in the dipping sauces
and the broth.
the recipe i’ve featured is the most commonly
found in my family home,
though one of the sauces is japanese in origin.
there was the one time i made a stinky anchovy-pineapple sauce
that i absolutely adore,
but would hesitate to serve to friends.
these pictures are from past hot pot gatherings,
as the most recent shared meal did not
garner any publishable pix.
we’ve been hit with a wave of freezing temps,
and this has kept us afloat until spring makes her appearance.
hot pot dinner + condiments
serves 2 – 8 people
*note: when i make this, i don’t really measure anything. it is all based on what is available in the pantry, and how things taste that day. but these are the general list of ingredients, but i recommend tasting as you go. like, i’m freaking out right now trying to think up how i made the sauces because i do not have exact amounts, and it never comes out the same every time. it still tastes good though…
the meal itself:
mushrooms – any variety
tofu – cubed to bite size
variety of sliced meats – wegmans and asian markets now have them available, already cut and packaged
meat and fish balls – can be found in frozen section of asian markets, i gravitate twds the shrimp, fish, beef and pork balls
glass noodles
baby bok choy, and whatever else greens you fancy to eat
hot pot stock:
1-2 bottles of beer, usually Heineken
2-4 cups of bland chicken stock, no sodium or as little as possible
2-3 bruised lemongrass stocks
2″ knob of ginger, smashed
2-3 cloves of garlic, smashed
add all together in pot, bring to a boil and simmer, with lid on, for about 30 minutes.
dipping sauce #1 – spicy soy sauce:
1 cup soy sauce or tamari
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 TBL maple syrup or honey
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2″ knob of ginger, grated
1/2 cup of water, give or take
juice of half a lime
1 tsp sesame oil
garlic-chili sambal, optional, to taste
in a jar with lid, mix everything together. taste it. add more of something if needed. you’re aiming for hits of sweet, sour, and salty.
dipping sauce #2 – goma dare/tahini miso sauce
3 TBL rice vinegar
1 TBL mirin
1 heaping TBL miso
1/3 cup tahini
1 TBL soy sauce or tamari
2 TBL maple syrup or honey
1 garlic clove, minced
2″ knob of ginger, grated
1 tsp sesame oil
water to thin
in a jar with lid, mix everything together. add water to thin, you’re aiming for almost a dressing-like consistency, season to taste.
to assemble the entire thing:
put the electric hot plate in the middle of the table. simmer the hot pot stock. remove the lemongrass stalks, ginger pieces and garlic cloves.
while that is doing its thing, display the plates of sliced meats and veggies around.
assemble all your friends and go to town with the cooking of everything.
when i’m hosting, i usually play facilitator… i leave it to each person to cook their meats according to preference. i usually throw in the glass noodles, handful of bok choy/greens, meatballs, tofu and mushroom… then everyone else can choose sliced meats to cook at their leisure.
as the meal goes on, the broth gets deeply flavored from all the added meats, seafood, and vegs. you can sip the soup if you want. add more stock or beer as needed.
BAM!
3 years ago: quinoa chocolate cake (gluten free)
2 years ago: seaweed sushi bites
1 year ago: ginger tumeric latte
morestomach 
Lovely!!! I haven’t had a hot pot dinner with friends in ages! So lucky your friends 😉
it really is the easiest form of entertainment, my friends love love love it and the set up is so incredibly easy.
thank you for your step by step instructions. i have yet to come across an awesome hot pot place in Dallas but Boston and New York had amazing ones!
it’s funny, i’ve never had hotpot out, it’s always been an at home affair. not to say i wouldn’t try it!
Oh yes, hot pot is THE ultimate winter food.
It’s going to snow 12-18 inches here tomorrow (of course it’s sunny and nice outside as I type this) and hot pot right now sounds delicious!
PS,
I hate it when I don’t have any salvageable pictures. Bah!!
gawd. you get it. though it gives me reason to do it all over again, so i can’t really complain.
it is really a comfort to tuck into this when it’s crazy cold out, but i find that it’s also fun to do around early autumn or early spring, it’s just on the cusp of getting cold or warm. i think that component has more to do with being with friends though.
Great friends make good for better
This is so beautiful and now I know how to make a bonafide hot pot. We’re about to get hit again and I think this would be an excellent stay home an be cozy meal. Funny you’d mention makeup. I just ran out of the foundation I’ve been using and didn’t want to order a new one because I wanted one that was less toxic. The one i’m using in the interim was very expensive, but it has a very strong fragrance and I just keep thinking this can’t be good for you. I’m waiting for my non-toxic one to come in the mail now.
i hope you are able to enjoy this before the weather gets too warm!
i wish i could say that my lack of make up has to do with toxins and such, but it really comes down to laziness. i spent over 10 years slapping on make up to look like i wasn’t wearing make up. i will apply eyeliner sometimes if i’m feeling fancy though…
hot pot is so simple, but extremely delicious! I haven’t had it in ages, but this makes me want to make it soon!
I was wondering if you were on FB at all? It would be amazing if you could share your recipe in our group, would love for you to join our community of food lovers! Check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnlyGoodEats/
hi Andrew, i hope you do make it soon!
it looks great, let me know if you end up joining our community! Would love to have you in it 🙂
There’s a hot pot place coming to the area near my office, but I feel like going with yours feels more reliable. I’m sure that even with spring we’ll have some unseasonably cold days coming up, so I want to try this ASAP.
i know you responded on IG, but i’ll add this here in case there’re any local folk who’d like to go out to get this, rather than make it at home: Little Dipper Hot Pot in Rockville. i will have to round up some family to make a trek there…
sounds delicious ! the most difficult part seems to be getting all the ingredients together, then the prep looks like a cinch… will def try this one soon!
it’s entirely up to you how many ingredients you want to use, and prepared meats are readily available now in supermarkets. i hope you enjoy!